Liquid flow control valve for toilet flush tanks



L. SIROTEK March 29, 1966 LIQUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE FOR TOILET FLUSH TANKS Filed Nov. 19, 1963 III Unizted States Patent O 3,242,940 LIQUID FLOW CONTRL VALVE FR TOILET FLUSH TANKS Louis Sirotek, 1711 N. Nashville Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed Nov. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 324,771 4 Claims. (Cl. 137-218) This invention relates to improvements in liquid flow control valves, particularly, to that type of valve employed in toilet ush tanks for automa-tically controlling the filling thereof with water to a predetermined level, and the discharge of water therefrom, as and when actuated.

What may be stated to be a principal object of the invention is the provision of a valve of the stated character which is of `compact construction and small size, embodying only a minimum of parts, each of which is of durable and lasting form, operationally dependable and capable of being easily and quickly assembled; moreover, likewise disassembled for inspection, repair, replacement or cleaning.

' An equally important object of the invention is to profvide a liquid or water fiow control valve which, when actuated to permit discharge of water therethrough and therefrom, will assure a complete and effective discharge of such from a toilet flush tank equipped therewith, hence, a thorough flushing operation, and by the same token, Will function automaticaliy to permit replenishment of said tank with a predetermined amount of water for future ushing usage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve of the stated` kind which, in usage, will prevent undesirable back siphonage of water therethrough into the provided water supply line, thus eliminating the hazard of contamina-tion.

A furtherobject of the invention resides in the provision of a water ow control valve for toilet flush tanks which will be substantially noiseless in operation, will eliminate the cascading and swirling of water when discharged'therefrom into an equipped tank, and as importantly, will be instantly positive in its water flow shutoff operational phase, thereby, will elimin-ate water whis- -tling or similar noise experienced, without exception, in now prevalent types of valves wherein or whereby the shut-off of water inflow to a tank is effected gradually.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a ltoilet flush tank valve of such construction as will permit the selective modulation of water outflow therefrom, whereby to yprevent possible flooding of an equipped tank bywater discharged thereinto at a rate faster than the capacity of the tank overflow pipe to drain the same off through ak toilet bowl; particularly, in those cases wherethe pressure of the water supply is' high and/or variable; additionally, to provide for less restrictive outow in instances where the pressure of the water supply is lower, hence, assuring adequate and rapid filling of said equipped tank.

vYetk another object of the invention is to provide a flush tank valve which, should the water passage ways of active or working components thereof become clogged or obstructed, they may be conveniently and quickly cleaned orcleared without the necessity of a complete disassembly and reassembly task.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teachings of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detaiied ice disclosure thereof, when taken in conjuction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the form of the invention presented herein is precise and what is now considered to be the best mode of embodying its principles, but that other modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiments without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a water flow control valve constructed in accordance with my invention, taken on the line 1 1 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse :section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction in which the yarrows point. l

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section similar to FIG- URE l, with the lower portions of the water inflow and discharge pipes broken away, but wherein the working parts of the valve are shown in their closed positions or relationships, as when an equipped flush tank has been filled with a predetermined amount of water.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4 4 of FGURE l, looking in the direction in which the arrows point, and,

FIGURE 5 is a like section taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction in which the ar- -rows point.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the invention comprises a casing includinEy lower and upper opposed circulary shaped and dished sections I and 2, respectively, formed with complemental and alignable apertured ears 3 receiving screws 4 whereby the sections will be fluid tightly interconnected and form a chamber therebetween.

The lower section 1 is formed or otherwise provided with a downwardly and coaxially extended sleeve 5, and with a series of perforations or ports 6 outwardly of and -about the sleeve. A seating washer 7 is received flushly in the rabbetted upper end of the sleeve serving to increase its diaphragm seating area.

As shown in FIGURES l and 3 of the drawings, an intermediate portion of the sleeve is thickened and formed with a plurali-ty of longitudinally and circularly disposed ducts S, while a coaxially disposed nipple-like part or tube 9 is integral with and extends upwardly through the seating washer 7 from and above the sleeve into the aforesaid casing chamber, its open upper end forming a valve seat, and its lower end forming an annu-lar shoulder 7 in said thickened intermediate portion, the purpose of which is hereinafter described.

The upper section 2, constituting a cover for the lower section 1, is formed with an outwardly extending and opening nipple 1t) and an upright post 11 to or on which a suitable type of float carrying arm 12 is pivotally mounted, as at 13.

The float arm consists of a fitting 14 sleeved on one side to threadedly receive a rod 15 of appropriate length, the outer end of which mounts a usual ball or other type of float, not shown. The opposite side of the fitting is formed or otherwise provided with a downwardly opening cap 16 having a gasket 17 seated therein. Said cap is so positioned `and is of such diameter that when pivoted downwardly, it will have capping and closing engagement over and with the outwardly opening nipple 1t).

Diaphragms 1S and 19, each made of durable and tough flexible temporary deformable material, are snugly received within the casing `chamber in superimposed relation, the diaphragm 18 being lowermost. The diaphragm 1S has a concentrically located openingof diameter greater than that of the nipple-like part 9 therein and receives the same therethrough, while the upper diaphragm 19 concentrically and tixedly receives an eyelet 20 having an inwardly tapered way therethrough, the lower end of which is of a shape and size receivable, at times, in the adjacent open end of the nipple-like part 9.

Fixedly positioned between the diaphragms 18 and '19 and spanning the casing chamber is an inflexible dished perforate disk 21, the medial portion of which snugly receives the upper end of the nipple-like part 9 therethrough.

The valve assembly, as above described, is mounted on the upper end of a liquid (water) supply stand pipe 22, the upper end of which is engaged and secured in the aforesaid thickened intermediate portion of the sleeve .in proximity to its annular shoulder 7', as shown in FlG- URES l and 3 of the drawings, its lower end being provided with a suitable fitting 23 for connecting it to the bottom of a iiush tank and to a supply source, not shown.

A liquid (water) discharge pipe 24 is received over the stand pipe 22 in spaced relation thereto forming a chanmel therebetween, having its upper end screw threadedly engaged in the lower open end of the sle-eve 5 and adiustable toward or away from the shoulder 7 and the longitudinally disposed ducts '3. The length of said discharge pipe -is less than that of the stand pipe, permitting the downward discharge of liquid (water) int-o the equipped flush tank, for an obvious purpose.

At this point, it is noted that by rotating or turning the discharge pipe 24 in one of two directions, the distance from or relationing of its upper end with respect to the aforesaid shoulder 7' and the ducts S will be either increased or decreased. Because the channel between it and the stand pipe is offset from the ducts S, the flow ofy liquid (water) from the valve via said ducts may be regulated to the required nicety. Thus, should the service pressure or" a water supply be high, its flow can be suitably regulated by decreasing the distance between the discharge pipe end and said ducts 8. Conversely, if the service pressure of water is low, the discharge pipe is rotated in a reverse direction, increasing the distance between it and the ducts, consequently, offering less irnpedence to its ow. Thereby, the discharge of liquid (water) will be modulated to an extent as will eliminate excessive turbulence thereof, especially when it is delivered or flowed into a toilet bowl.

As and when the valve is employed in connection with a toilet flush tank, a refill tube 2S, of appropriate diameter, is tapped into the sleeve 5 and serves to provide liquid (water) to a toilet bowl communicating therewith via the usual flush tank overflow pipe, not shown, this to provide a sewer gas seal thereto.

In operation ofv my improved valve, assuming that it is installed in a toilet flush tank and connected to a water supply source, when the tank is empty and the float carrying arm is in its lowermost position, the cap 16 will be raised and disengaged from the nipple 10 on the upper casing section 2. Water will be discharged from the stand pipe 22`into the area (chamber) between the diaphragms 13 and 19. A portion of the water will be outletted through the nipple 10 via the inwardly tapered opening in and through the eyelet 20. Furthermore, the pressure of the outflowing water will be suflicient to flex the lower diaphragm 1S downwardly, thus, sealing the multiple vent ports, `and the upper diaphragm 19 upwardly to the positions shown in FIGURE l of the drawings. Such ow of water will continue through the perforations of the inflexible disk 21, through the opening between the nipple-like part 9 and the depressed flexible diaphragm 18 downwardly through the ducts 8 into and through the channel between the stand pipe 22 and the discharge pipe 24, ultimately discharging into theequipped hush tank.

As hereinbefo're stated, by adjusting the spacing between the upper end of the. discharge pipe 24, the rabbetted portion or shoulder 7 and the ducts 8, the pressure of the water discharged into the ush tank will be so regulated as to prevent excessive turbulence thereof, and too rapid filling of the tank.

As and when the float carrying arm is moved to its uppermost position, as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, i.e., the level of water within the flush tank has reached the desired height, the cap 16 on the float arm fitting 14 will be engaged over and will close` the-nipple 10. The nipple being thus closed, will prevent further discharge of water therefrom, resulting in a` build up of water and pressure within that portion of the casing chamber between the upper diaphragm 19 and the casing section 2 to an extentwhich will effect downward flexing of said diaphragm 19 and engaging it with and'over the adjacent open end of the nipple-like part 9. Concurrently, the inherent resilience. or spring of the lowerdia.- phragm will be such that, being relievedv of pressure from outletting water, it will ex or move upwardly into contactwith the inflexible disk 21, closing the perforations therein. Thereby, -backow or discharge of water. from the tank will be positively prevented. Y

With iiexing movement of the lower diaphragm 18 upwardly to its cut-off position, as shown in FIGURE3 of the drawings, the ports 6 in the lower casing section 1 outwardly of the sleeve 5 vwill beopened. Thereby, a positive venting action will be effected i' order to 'break any suction which may have yoccurred in the' water discharge channel between the stand pipe 22andth'e discharge pipe 24, hence, prevent any and all contaminating back ow of water into the water supply stand pipe 22.

As and when a iiush tank equipped with my improved valve is operated to effect discharge of water therefrom for a flushing operation, the o'at carrying arm 15 Will descend with the lowering water level, causing the fitting provided cap 16 to be disengaged or removed from the nipple 10 and thereby allow the discharge of water from the supply stand pipe 22 into the casing chamber between the lower and upper diaphragms 18 and l19, hence repeating the water iniowing action through the valve, )as hereinabove described; l Should, for any reason, the inwardly tapering channel 1n or through the eyelet 20 become clogged, it will'be seen that it may be conveniently and easily cleared by removing the fitting 14 of the float carrying arm 12 from its mounting on the post 11, whereupon, a pin, wire or other device can be inserted and moved downwardly through the nipple l10* and said inwardly tapered opening in the eyeletrZtl, hence, clearing the latter.

The few and durable parts of my improved valve assure its long service with a minimumv ofmaintenance requirement. Moreover, the valve will function to effect a positive shut-off of liquid ow therethrough oir therefrom at a predetermined point of its operation in that the pressure of the flowed liquid is employed for the accomplishment; furthermore, that the greater the flow pressure of such liquid, the `greater will be the character of the shut-off.

The aforesaid'few and durable working parts of the valve, including the'idiaphragms 18 and 19, eac-h made of exible temporary deformable material, further assu-.re its long service.

Excessive turbulence of liquid disohargedvia the'valve into a toilet tank will be prevented by adequateA adjustment of the discharge pipe 24 withrelationto. the ducts S in the sleeve 5 whereby to effect andmaintain a uniform and satisfactory modulated rate of flow thereof.

The liquid shut-off .action of the diaphragms 18 and 19, furthermore, will eliminate so-called hammer and similar noise.

And, as stated hereinbefore, cleaning of the working components of the valve is convenientlyand easily effectable, this without :a major disassembling lthereof.

Because of the solid backing or support provided to the y diaphragms 18 and'v1r9, it wi ll be understood and appreciated that whenthe same is iexed upwardly, as hereinbefore described, distortion or rupture thereof will be prevented, hence, according greater longevity of dependable and satisfactory functioning of the same.

I have found it desirable to position a spacing washer v21 between the perimeter portions of the diaphragm 18 and the vinflexible disk 21 whereby to effect a satisfactory area or water way as between the same when water is discharged into the valve casi-ng and courses through the perforations of said inexible disk to and through said diaphragm 18 and thence into and through the ducts 8 for downward discharge into an equipped flush tank. Obviously, by increasing or decreasing the thickness of this washer 21', 4greater or lesser water flow way area may be optionally effected.

It is to be understood that whereas I have herein described my invention for use in connection with a toilet lush tank, and as being advantageous lfor such use, it is not -my intent to be limited thereto. Obviously, the invention has other and equally advantageous uses.

I claim:

1. A liquid flow control valve for ilush tanks, comprising:

(a) a casing,

(b) a sleeve extended outwardly and downwardly from the lowe-r side of the casing, a portion of which is thickened and formed with ducts extended longitudinally therethrough and communicating with the casing interior,

(c) iluid pressure lactuated liquid flow control valve means within the casing,

(d) a liquid supply pipe connected to yand com-municating with the casing interior, and

(e) a liquid discharge pipe engaged over Aand above the supply pipe connected to said sleeve -for movement toward and away from its thickened portion and ducts whereby to regulate the flow of liquid thereinto and therefrom.

2. A liquid ow control valve for llush tanks,

comprising:

(a) a casing having a downwardly extended and openin-g sleeve communicating with its interior,

(b) a portion of said sleeve being internally thickened and having longitudinally disposed ducts formed in and extended therethrough,

(c) a longitudinally disposed tube within the sleeve inwardly of said ducts and extended into the casing interior,

(d) the lower side of the casing being vented outwardly of the sleeve,

(e) liquid pressure actuatable valve means within the casi-ng one of which is seatable, 4at times, over the extended end of said tube and is formed with a medially located port, an-d another of which receives said extended end of the tube therethrough and is seatable, `at times, over the vents in the lower side of the casing,

(f) an outwardly opening nipple on the upper side of the casing communicating with its interior,

(g) a float carried arm pivotally mounted on the casing upper side,

(h) means carried by said arm engageable, at times,

over said nipple w-hereby to close the same,

(i) a liquid supply pipe connected to and communicating with said tube, and,

(j) `a liquid discharge pipe engaged over and labout the supply pipe adjustably connected at its upper end to the lower end of said sleeve for movement toward or away from its thickened portion and ducts whereby to regulate the ow of liquid from said ducts thereinto and therefrom.

3. A liquid ilow control valve for flush tanks, comprising:

(a) a casing including upper and lower sections formp ing a chamber therebetween when joined,

(b) the lower section having a sleeve extending outwardly therefrom and communicating with the chamber and a plurality of vent openings therein outwardly of the sleeve,

(c) a portion of said sleeve being internally thickened and having a plurality of longitudinally disposed Vducts formed in and extended therethrough,

(d) a coaxially disposed nipple-like part fxedly carried within the sleeve inwardly of said internally thickened portion thereof and extended into the casing chamber,

(e) a perf-orate non-flexible piece carried within the casing spanning the chamber and receiving the extended and adjacent end of the nipple-like part therethrough,

(f) an inherently spring flexible diaphragm secured within the casing in proximity to and below said perforate piece spanning the chamber and receiving the extended en-d of the nipple-like part therethrough,

(g) a flexible second diaphragm secured within the casing in proximity to and above the perforate piece spanning the chamber and having a medially located port therethrough,

(h) an outwardly disposed nipple on the casing upper section communicating with the chamber,

(i) a oat carrying arm pivotally mounted on said casing upper section,

(j) .a cap-like member carried by said arm engageable, at times, over the outer end of said nipple whereby to close the same,

(k) a liquid supply pipe connected to and communieating with said nipple-like part, and,

(i) a liquid discharge pipe engaged over and about the supply pipe adjustably connected at its upper end to the lower end of said sleeve for movement toward or away from its internally thickened portion and ducts whereby to regulate the llow of liquid from said ducts thereinto and therefrom.

4. A liquid ilow control valve for flush tanks, comprising:

(a) a casing including upper and lower sections forming a chamber therebetween when joined,

(b) the lower section having a sleeve extending outwardly therefrom and communicating with the chamber `and a plurality of vent openings therein outwardly of the sleeve,

(c) a portion of said sleeve being internally thickened and having a plurality of longitudinally disposed ducts formed in and extended therethrough.

(d) a coaxially disposed nipple-like part ixedly carried within the sleeve inwardly of said internally thickened portion thereof and extended into the casing chamber,

(e) a perforate non-flexible piece carried within the casing spanning the chamber and receiving the extended and adjacent end of the nipple-like part therethrough,

(f) an inherently spring liexible diaphragm secured within the casing in proximity to and below said perforate piece spanning the chamber and receiving the extended end of the nipple-like part therethrough,

(g) a spacing washer positioned between the perimeter portions of said perforate nonllexible piece and said inherently spring llexible diaphragm,

(h) a flexible second diaphragm secured within the casing in proximity to and above the perforate piece spanning the chamber and having a medially located port therethrough,

(i) an outwardly disposed nipple on the casing upper section communicating with the chamber,

(j) a float carrying arm pivotally mounted on said casing upper section,

7 8 (k) 'a fcap-1ike member carried by said arm'engageable, Refer'ens Cited by the-Exrniner at ,.tirrl'es; over'the outer end'of said nipplewhereby UNITED STATES PATENTS to close the same, n (l) a liquid'supply'pipe connected-to and communi- 6301831 3/55 Arnold 13,74'14'X eating with-said nipple-like part, and,v 5 2,827,073 3/58 Owens 13T-437 X (rn) a liquid discharge pipe engaged over and-about 3,194,258 7/65 Brant 137;-218 X the suppy; pipe adjustably connected at-its upper vend n to thelower end of said sleeve for movement toward ISADOR WML: PTWWY Examineror away from'its internally Vthickenedportion and L dct'swhereby 'n0-regulate the ow ofl liquid from 10 D' AMBERT AssltgmExammer" said ducts thereinto andi-therefrom. 

1. A LIQUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS, COMPRISING: (A) A CASING, (B) A SLEEVE EXTENDED OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM THE LOWER SIDE OF THE CASING, A PORTION OF WHICH IS THICKENED AND FORMED WITH DUCTS EXTENDED LONGITUNDINALLY THERETHROUGH AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE CASING INTERIOR, (C) FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED LIQUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE MEANS WITHIN THE CASING, (D) A LIQUID SUPPLY PIPE CONNECTED TO AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE CASING INTERIOR, AND (E) A LIQUID DISCHARGE PIPE ENGAGED OVER AND ABOVE THE SUPPLY PIPE CONNECTED TO SAID SLEEVE FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ITS THICKENED PORTION AND DUCTS WHEREBY TO REGULATE THE FLOW OF LIQUID THEREINTO AND THEREFROM. 